The New Hampshire Charitable Foundation recently announced its 2018 Community Grant program recipients and Cedarcrest Center for Children with Disabilities will receive $60,000 of unrestricted operating support over three years as part of that program.
The competitive grants program seeks to support New Hampshire nonprofit organizations general operations. The grant program includes a rigorous determination process that begins with a concept proposal and an invitation to organizations that emerge from that round to apply for the full funding.
The grant support is welcomed, as Cedarcrest Center has not had a New Hampshire Medicaid rate increase in 10 years. “This Charitable Foundation unrestricted grant support is so appreciated and comes at a critical time,” states Cathy Gray, President and CEO. “Of course, we will continue to advocate on behalf of the children and work with state agencies in hopes to help better align the funding for actual costs of providing the care but unrestricted grants such as this and annual contributed support is crucial for our organization’s ability to narrow the funding gap.”
The grant proposal notes that Cedarcrest Center is faced with the paradox of rising costs of medical care despite the stagnant corresponding funding rate. As is the case with many healthcare nonprofit organizations, the costs to offer competitive wages and benefits for the highly trained staff, provide the children’s medical supplies, adapted equipment as well as support the facility infrastructure are increasing. While the organization continues to follow prudent budget processes and manage minor and capital expenditure plans to help guide the physical plant and equipment replacement strategies, additional funding support is needed for it to assure optimum levels of staffing, equipment and facility improvements.
Cedarcrest Center is the only provider of post-acute medical care for children in New Hampshire. The facility is approved by Medicaid in Vermont and Maine and serves children from both of those states as well. The center provides both extended and short-term residential medical care for up to 26 children, infants to age 21. Cedarcrest School provides special education services to both residents and day students from around the region. This includes integrated onsite rehabilitation, occupational and speech/language therapies.
All children at Cedarcrest require 24-hour nursing support and have a diagnoses ranging from: seizure and other neurological disorders, cerebral palsy, hypoxic and traumatic brain injuries, muscular dystrophies, orthopedic complications, and compromised digestive and respiratory systems. Several require ventilator and/or respiratory support. All experience the challenges of significant cognitive impairment.
“We are truly grateful for each gift and grant we receive. The support is such a reflection of the compassion and understanding of not only those in the Keene area who interact with the children but from those who support the children from all over New Hampshire” said Cathy Gray.
The New Hampshire Charitable Foundation is New Hampshire’s statewide community foundation, founded in 1962 by and for the people of New Hampshire. The Foundation manages a growing collection of more than 1,800 funds created by generous individuals, families and businesses, and awards nearly $40 million in grants and scholarships every year. The Foundation works with generous and visionary citizens to maximize the power of their giving, supports great work happening in our communities and leads and collaborates on high-impact initiatives.
